Men's Basketball

McKenzie to continue his career in French Pro A League with Vichy

Aug 01, 2008

COOEKVILLE, Tenn. -- Amadi McKenzie didn't miss many chances
when he got the ball in his hands during the past four years,
setting the Tennessee Tech men's basketball record for the best
career field goal percentage.

Now, the all-OVC center from Atlanta faces another challenging
opportunity, one that he's planning to take advantage of to its
fullest.

The 6-foot-7 McKenzie recently signed a contract with Vichy, a
team in the Pro A league of France.

"I played well at the camp in Ohio, so I hoped to get an offer
from that," McKenzie said. "My agent said the French coach called
and liked the way I played.

"I got to sit down and talk to the coach, and find out more about
the team. He spoke French so we had to use an interpreter. He seems
to be a good guy, and it sounds like a great environment. The town
loves the team and they sell out every game, so it sounds like an
exciting place to play and a great atmosphere."

Michael Hart, president of Hart Sports Management Group and
McKenzie's agent, said the competition will be exceptional.

"The Pro A League in France is one of the top six or seven leagues
in Europe, and it's rare for a rookie right out of college to have
the chance to play in this high of a league," Hart said. "For
instance, Tony Parker played in this league before going to the San
Antonio Spurs."

Vichy plays not only in the French league, according to Hart, but
also in European Cup competition, facing top teams from other
countries.

"That kind of exposure could really open new doors for him," Hart
said.

Tech head coach Mike Sutton can't hide his pride when talking
about the next step in McKenzie's basketball career.

"This is the best initial job that a Tech player has had in
several years," said Sutton. "It's a very good league, one that
produced two NBA draft picks this year."

Playing for Vichy will mark the first time McKenzie will play on
European soil, but not the first time he has played in other parts
of the world.

"Amadi has had a couple of other opportunities to represent
Tennessee Tech internationally," Sutton said. "He has been to China
on a summer tour and he played with our team in Puerto Rico, and
now he's taking our school even further."

A coach who has turned out his share of professional players,
Sutton is happy that McKenzie is getting this chance.

"We're extremely proud of Amadi, and excited that he's getting
this opportunity," Sutton said. "He had a tremendous career at
Tech, he rewrote the record book and played on an OVC championship
team, but the most important thing to come from his four years is
that he earned his degree and graduated in May.

"That was the reason he was here, and he accomplished that goal in
four years," Sutton added.

Hart thinks McKenzie can plan on playing professionally for
several years.

"I'm excited about his professional prospects. I've followed his
career at Tennessee Tech and he has improved every season, but the
best is yet to come," Hart said. "They saw him in Columbus and he
was, by far, the best player there. He's a combination of strength,
athleticism, and inside and outside skills. I think he can have a
long, long career."

Vichy plays in a 14-team league, which includes teams in such
familiar French locations as Dijon, LeMans, Orleans and Paris.

According to Aurelien Hipp, a writer for the website
EuroBasket.com, "McKenzie will share the paint with Dounia Issa
(Best Pro A defensive player last year), Zach Moss (re-inked for 2
seasons) and William Soliman, coming from the neighbours of
Roanne."

Hipp said that Tech's all-star center was, "scouted at the
Columbus (Ohio) Camp, where a lot of French coaches go for their
summer market."

The current nine-man Vichy roster featured five French players
along with four Americans. Along with McKenzie, the U.S. players on
his team are Moss, Curtis Sumpter and Rasheed Wright.

"We're excited for Amadi," Sutton said. "He accomplished a lot,
both individually and with his teammates during his career. This
class achieved goals, they earned their degrees, and this is an
excellent opportunity for him."

The regular season begins in early October and runs through mid
May, followed by the playoffs.